National Assembly · Afternoon Sitting
Tuesday, 11 March 2025
Members highlighted that Ksh33 billion in grants, loans and salary arrears for health workers and climate‑agriculture programmes are being held at the national level, delaying essential services in rural counties. They criticised bureaucratic delays and devolution disputes, urging immediate release of the funds to counties for primary healthcare, community health workers and resilience projects. Suggestions included simplifying structures so money follows the workers and passing the Bill without further political bargaining. Members praised devolution and backed the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, highlighting its potential to unlock Ksh42 billion for health workers, community health programmes and economic development projects such as CAIPs and livestock commercialization. At the same time they warned that funds must be used prudently, with greater transparency and reduced reliance on donor support, urging counties to generate their own revenue and ensure accountability. Members debated the County Governments Additional Allocations Bill, urging swift passage to release conditional and unconditional grants for health workers, CHPs, water‑sanitation projects and agricultural programmes. While expressing strong support for the bill’s potential to address critical county needs, they criticised county governments for poor transparency, mismanagement and alleged theft of funds, calling on governors to use the allocations prudently.
Serjeant-at-Arms, ring the Quorum Bell. Order, Hon. Members. We now have the quorum to transact business.
[(The Quorum Bell was rung)]
Deputy Leader of the Majority Party.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I beg to lay the following Papers on the Table:
For the record, you have skipped letter (y) .
Sorry, Hon. Speaker. Letter (z) is Tumutumu Girls High School.
Thank you. Next is the Chairperson of the Liaison Committee.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to lay the following Paper on the Table:
Thank you. Next Order.
Hon. Deputy Speaker.
Hon. Speaker. I beg to give a notice of the following Motion: THAT, this House adopts the Report of the Liaison Committee on the Budget Policy Statement for the Financial Year 2025/2026 and a compendium of Departmental Committee Reports on the 2025 BPS, laid on the Table of the House on Tuesday, 11th March 2025 and pursuant to the provisions of Section 25 (7) of the Public Finance Management Act,…
Thank you, Hon. Deputy Speaker. Before Questions and Statements, allow me to acknowledge students in the Speaker's Gallery. I believe they are with their teachers from Moi Forces Academy of Kamukunji Constituency in Nairobi. In the Public Gallery, we have Muthambi Girls' School from Maara in Tharaka Nithi; Makongeni Secondary School from Makadara, Nairobi; Kong’otik Girls' High School from Bomet …
[(Applause)]
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I take this opportunity to welcome all the schools visiting the National Assembly today. To all students, work and read hard because education is one avenue to make your lives better. I recognise Kimuru Secondary School from Kipipiri Constituency, Wanjohi Sub-County, in a special way. I wish to let you and the Floor know that Kimuru Secondary School is one of the most disc…
Thank you. On my behalf and that of the House, we welcome all of you to the House of Parliament. Enjoy yourselves. Question number one is by Eric Karemba of Runyenjes. It is a request for Statement. I am sorry.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. It is not a Question but a request for Statement.
Go ahead.
Before I request for Statement, I am very excited today. Unlike other days, I see a number of Akorinos in the Public Gallery. I am very happy.
How do you know they are Akorinos?
Waswahili hujuana kwa vilemba, Hon. Speaker.
[(Laughter)]
Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock regarding the high cost of farm feeds. Dairy farming is crucial in ensuring food security and economic stability in the country. Sadly, the industry faces several challenges that have crippled farmers including high cost of ani…
decreased milk yields thereby undermining the overall performance and sustainability of dairy farming in the country, specifically in Runyenjes in Embu County. It is against this background that I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental
Thank you, Hon. Karemba. Where is the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Agriculture and Livestock? DK, re you a Member of the Committee? Bring a response on the first day of resumption after recess. That is in three weeks.
Okay. We can bring it when we come from recess.
Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo of Funyula is next.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I rise to request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Education regarding the welfare of members of staff of the Technical University of Kenya (TUK) that was awarded a charter on 15th January 2013. The institution took over from the now defunct Kenya Polytechnic, which was a leadin…
Thank you, Hon. Oundo. Chair, Departmental Committee on Education, that was a request for a Statement on the welfare of members of staff of the Technical University of Kenya. Bring the response in three weeks upon resumption from recess.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker.
Member for Kirinyaga Central, Hon. Joseph Gitari.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. Pursuant to the provisions of Standing Order 44 (2) (c) , I request for a Statement from the Chairperson of the Departmental Committee on Energy regarding status of electricity projects in Kirinyaga County. The country has made significant strides in expanding electricity access over the past two decades, with millions of households and businesses connected to power. Desp…
The Chair of the Departmental Committee on Energy. Hon. Kawaya, are you still a Member of the Committee?
Thank you, Chairman.
I am the Speaker, not the Chair.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I am sorry about that. I will communicate this to the Departmental Committee on Energy.
I directed that you remain in office until the end of the day today. You are still the Chairperson.
We will bring a response in two weeks.
Bring it in three weeks. We shall be in recess for two weeks. Bring the response on the first day upon resumption. That is three weeks from today.
Yes. Thank you, Hon. Speaker.
Thank you, Hon. Kawaya. Order, Hon. Members. Member for Tiaty, take the nearest seat. Hon. Kiborek, Hon. Umulkher, and the Member for Mwea, take your seats. Next Order.
[(Several Members walked along the aisle)]
Mover.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to move that the County Governments Bill (National Assembly Bill No.11 of 2023) be now read a Third Time. I request Hon. David Ochieng’ to second.
[(Revenue Raising Process)]
Hon. Speaker, I hereby second.
[(Hon. Gathoni Wamuchomba and Hon. Suleka Harun walked into the Chamber)]
Hon. Wamuchomba, take the nearest seat. Hon. Member in the walkway, take the nearest seat. Hon. Members, I want to repeat something to you. Everybody must be seated when the Speaker is on his or her feet. You freeze if you are standing. You do not lean to talk to somebody when the Speaker is upstanding. It is just etiquette. I think that is what we were taught on the first day when we met at Safa…
[(Question proposed)]
Put the question!
I confirm that we have Quorum.
Order, Hon. Members on their feet. Take your seats. Those two Members at the back, Hon. Kawanjiku, take your seats. Thank you.
[(Hon. Njuguna Kawanjiku consulted with Hon. Githua Wamacukuru)]
[(Question put and agreed to)]
Mover.
Hon. Speaker, I beg to move that the Public Audit (Amendment) Bill, (National Assembly Bill No.4 of 2024) be now read a Third Time. I also request Hon. Irene Mayaka to second.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I second.
[(Loud consultations)]
Order, Hon. Members. Hon. Oundo, you better go back to where you normally sit.
[(Hon. (Dr) Ojiambo Oundo crossed the Floor of the House)]
[(Laughter)]
Put the question!
I now put the Question at Order 9 after confirming that we have the quorum in the House. Next order.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
[(The Bill was accordingly read a Third Time and passed)]
Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Speaker, this is a short Motion. I beg to move the following Motion: THAT, pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 28 (4) and 30 (3) (c) , this House resolves to—
[(Calendar of the House)]
[(Hours of Meeting)]
evening, we have a very short afternoon, probably about just two hours before we adjourn for the Iftar dinner hosted by the Speaker. It would be important to have that extra sitting on Thursday and Friday mornings. Hon. Wamacukuru, Hon. Wamuchomba and Hon. Jane Kagiri are making a lot of noise behind me. I hope they have heard. There will be sittings on Thursday and Friday mornings. Therefore, I…
I am the acting Leader of the Minority Party. In that capacity, Hon. Speaker, I second the Motion by my counterpart on the other side.
[(Several Members stood along the gangways)]
Order, Hon. Members. Members on their feet, take your seats. Order. Is that Hon. Barongo? Hon. Barongo, can you walk to the Bar? Now take the nearest seat. Hon. Junet, take the nearest seat. Authority should follow you to any seat.
[(Hon. Nolfason Barongo entered the Chamber)]
[(Hon. Nolfason Barongo walked to the Bar)]
[(Hon. Junet Mohamed walked into the Chamber)]
[(Hon. Junet Mohamed spoke off the record)]
[(Laughter)]
I put the Question?
Yes.
[(Question put and agreed to)]
On a point of order.
Yes, Hon. Omboko Milemba.
Thank you, Hon. Speaker. I rise on a point of order that touches on a matter relating to the Constitution on the budget-making process. The practice of this House has been that, usually during budget processing, there is monies allocated through public participation to different counties. This round was the chance for Vihiga and other five counties.
Hon. Milemba, I have been requested by the Leader of the Majority Party to stand you down so that we clear the short Motion appearing as Order No.11. I will give you an opportunity later, if you do not mind. Hold your horses. Call out Order No.11.
Leader of the Majority Party.
Hon. Members, the time being 7.03